Fluid flow indicator



C. F. TERRELL, .,:IR

FLUID FLow INDICATOR Filed May 18, 1936 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 FLUID FLOW INDICATOR Charles F. Terrell, Jr., Chicago, Ill., assignor toA The Pure Oil Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation oi' Ohio Application May 18, 1936, Serial No. 80,369

10 Claims.

This inventionv relates to fluid flow indicators and measuring devices, and is more particularly concerned with plunger type indicators for use in connection with force feed `lubricators.

In my application Ser. No. 13,005 (Patent No. 2,047,715) I have disclosed several types of indicators in which the plunger was provided with a valve-controlled passagewayfor permitting continuous ,operation of the device. The devices in accordance with the present invention diier from those disclosed in my'earlier application in several important respects. Instead of providing a valve-controlled passageway through the plunger to permit passage of `fluid from inlet to outlet, as in the aforesaid application, I have provided a by-pass forpermitting passage of fluid from inlet to outlet. The by-pass may be controlled by a separate valve or by the plunger. Another distinction between the present indicators and those of my earlier application is that the former do not necessarily operate continu#- ously but may be operated only when the operator desires to check on the lubricator or other pumping device to which the indicator is attached in order to see that lt is operating prop- Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one form of device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an-v other form of device in accordance with my invention.

Fig; 3 is a vertical cross'fsectional view of still a third form of device constructed in accordance with myfinventin; p Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, diagrammatic view of a section of the devices shownin Figures 1, 2, and 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the plunger-form-y ing part of the device shown in Fig. 3.

Numeral I indicates the body portion of the indicator which may be forged, cast, or otherwise made from steel, bronze, or gthensuitable metal. The body portion is formed with 'the cylindrical passageway 3 and one or more elongated slots 5. The vertical walls of the cylinder bounding the slot 5 may be bevelled and caliu brated as shown by the numeral 9, in cubic centi` (Cl. 'I3-194) meters orother suitable volumetric units. The upper andlower ends of the body portion are tapped at and I3 in order to receive the threaded caps I5 and I1 respectively.v The lower portion of the body member is drilled vertically to' form the narrow passageway I9 and also drilledhorizontally to form the ports 2| and 23 vwhich connect the passageway I9 to the passageway 3. The outer ends of the ports 2| and 23 are tapped to receive the closure vscrews 25 and 21 respectively. 'Ihe lower end of the -passageway I9 is closed by the cap 1.

A hollow, open ended cylinder 29 of transparent Bakelite or other transparent, preferably non-frangible, material, is press-fitted into the passageway 3 of the body portion I. The cylinder `29 is preferably reamed or subjected to other machining operation after being press-iltted into the body portion in order that the cylindrical passageway therethrough may be of `uniform diameter. -f

A cylindrical plunger 3|, which' is solid or at least has a solid bottom 32, is snuglymounted to` reciprocate in the'cylinder129. The upper end of thegplunger 3| is of smaller diameter than the lower end and extends beyond the upper end of the cylinder 29 and has a plate or circular spider 33 rigidly mounted on the top thereof.

The member 33 ilts loosely in the passageway 3.

A sliding member 35 is mounted in the passageway 3 between thejlupper end of the cylinder 29 and the plate- 33 mounted on the top of the plunger. 'I'he member 35 is snugly mountedto reciprocate in the passageway 3 and has an opening 31 centrally thereof to vpermit the stem 39 of the plunger 3| to pass-therethrough. The opening 31 is sufllciently large in diameter to permit free passage of liquid therethrough, but is smaller in diameter than the main body of the plunger. The length ofthe sliding member or valve 35 is such asto .closeoii the port 2|- vvhen th`^inembe'i'isresti`ig"fon theufpper facet of the cylinder 29. f

y A coil or spiral spring 4I is mounted in the upper portion of the passageway 3 between the plate `33 and the inner face I3 of the cap I5. 'I'he cap I5 is formed with the passageway '45 centrally thereof and is tapped at 41 to receive a suitable nipple. The lower cap I1 is formed with a passageway 49y centrally thereof and the outer end of the cap is threaded at 5| in'order to receive a suitable pipe coupling. The passageway 49 is smaller in diameter than the plunger 3| in order to enable the lower end of the plunger to come to rest on the inner face 53 of the cap member I1. The ports 2I- and 23 are formed beyond the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 29.

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that the lower end of the plunger 3| is at rest on the upper face 53 of the cap I1 and that valve 35 covers port 2|, lubricating oil is fed through the indicator by means of inlet passageway 49 and forces the plunger 3| upwardly.

When the upper face 51 of the plunger abuts the horizontal portion of the sliding member or valve 35, it forces the sliding member upwardly with it. The spring 4I is being compressed during the upstroke of the plunger. When the plunger forces the valve 35 upwardly asuiifcient distance to uncover the port 2|, oil will then pass through the port 23, passageway I9 and port 2|, into the passageway 3 and equalize the pressure above and below the plunger 3 I. The compressed spring 4| at this instant immediately retur'ns the plunger to its initial position, displacing the oil beneath it through the port 23, passageway I9, and port 2| into the upper part ofpassageway 3. When the plunger has almost reached its initial position the plate 33 strikes the sliding member 35 and pushes it downwardly, thereby closing the port 2|. The cycle then begins over again.

By observing the movement of the plunger through the slots 5, the distance the plunger travels in a given period of time can be observed and the amount of iiuid passing therethrough can be determined.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device is formed with the body I having therein a cylindrical passageway 3 and one or more slots 5 similar to that shown in Fig. 4. 'I'he upper and lower ends of the body portion are tapped at II and I3 to receive the cap members I 5' and I1. A vertical passageway I9' is bored in the wall of the body portion and is connected to the interior of the body portion by means of the horizontal ports 2| and 23', the outer ends of which are tapped to receive the screws 25 and 21. The lower end of the passageway I9' is closed by the cap I1. The transparent hollow, open-ended cylinder 29 is press-fitted into the body portion and a solid plunger 3| is mounted to reciprocate therein. A coil or spiral spring 4I is mounted in the upper portion of the cylinder 29 and abuts at its lower end against the upper face of the plunger 3|', and at its upper end against the inner face 43' of the cap member I5. The cap memberyIS' is formed with the lvertical passageway 45 centrally thereof and is tapped at 41' to receive a suitable nipple. The lower cap I1 has a vertical passageway 49 and is tapped at 5| to receive a suitable pipe coupling. 'I'he passageway 49 is smaller in diameter than the plunger 3|' in order that the lower face of the plunger may rest on the inner face 53' of the cap member.

The lower portion of the body I is bored horizontally at 60' and is counter-bored at 62 in order to connectv the passageway 3 and passageway I9'. A valve 64 is adapted to seat in and close the bore 6|). 'I'he valve 64 has a stem 66 which extends outside the body portion of the indicator. A plate 68 is rigidly mounted on the 'valve stem and a coil spring 10 is mounted between the plate 68 and the inner face of the counter-bore 62. The coil spring 10 is adapted toi hold the valve `in open position. A packing member 12 is adapted to .be screwed into the outer end of the counter-bore 62 and packing material 14 is retained within'the packing member 12 by means of the cap 16 which is adapted to be screwed into the packing member. The packing member 12 and the cap 13:; are bored centrally thereof in order to permit 4the valve stem to pass therethrough.

The valve is faldapted to be operated by hand by merely pressing inwardly on the outer end of the stem.

The cylinder 29 is bored horizontally at 18 in order to connect the interior thereof with the port 23'.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is as follows: ,Assuming the plunger 3| is at rest on the inner -face' 53' of the lower cap member I1 and the valve64 open, fluid will enter through the inlet; passageway 49' and force the plunger 3| fromj its seat'suiciently to permit the fluid to pass'into the passageway 3', then through the bore and counter-bore 61D and 62, through the passageway I9', port 2| and out through the passageway A'45. Normally the indicator does not function. When it is desired to determine whether the lubricator or other pumping means to which the, indicator is attached is functioning properly .the operator presses thevalve stem 66 inwardly until the valve closes the bore B0. The plunger 3|' is then forced upwardly by the iiuid pressure until the lower end of the plunger passes beyond the bore 18, whereupon the fluid may pass through port 23', passageway I9 and port 2|' into the upper part of passageway 3' and out through the outlet passageway 45'. By providing the connection from the interior of the cylinder 29 to the passageway I9 through the passageway 18 and port 23', there is no possibility that the operator may wreck the device by forgetting to open the valve. The movement of the plunger can be observed while the valve is held in closed position and the time required for it to move through its upstroke can be observed. By releasing the valve and opening the passageway from the lower end of the passageway 3 throughbore 69 and counter-bore 62 to passageway I9', the pressure will be relieved beneath the plunger 3|' and the spring 4I' will then force the plunger back to its initial position slightly above the inner face 53' of the cap member I1'.

It will be observed that the device shown in Fig. 2 ordinarily does not operate but is put into operation whenever desired by merely closing the valve 64 by pressing thereon with the finger. The length of life of the device is greatly increased by reason of the fact that it is not subjected to excessive wear. It operates only at the time that observation of fluid flow is desired. 4i

Refer-ring to Figures 3 and 5, the body portion I" is formed with a passageway 3" and one'or more slots 5". The upper end of the body mem# ber is threaded at I and the lower end is tapped at I3" to receive the caps I5 and I1" respectively. The passageway I9" is bored longitudinally of the body portion and is connected with the horizontal ports 2|" and 23', which are threaded at their outer ends to receive the screw closures 25" and 21". The transparent, hollow, open-ended cylinder 29" is press-fitted into the bodyportion and has a plunger 3| reciprocally mounted therein. A coil spring 4|" is mounted in the upper part of the passageway 3". The lower closure member has a passagaw 49" and is threaded at 5I" to receive a suitable pipe coupling. The passageway 49" is of 4smaller order to enable the plunger to seat on the inner face 53 of the cap member.

The upper end of the passageway I9" is closed by the screw 80. 'I'he body portion is formed with protrusion 02 adjacent its upper end. A

horizontal passageway 84 through the protrusion 02,connects the upper ends of the passageways 3" and I9" with the exterior of the body portion. The protrusion 82 is threaded at 86 to receive a suitable pipe coupling. The upper end 08 of the body portion l" is bored at 90 to permit passage therethrough of the key or turning rod 92. The rod 92 is formed with a lip 94`adapted to rest on the surface of the upper end 08. Suitable packing material 96, held in place by the packing ring 98 and cap member |5 is placed around the rod 92 to prevent leakage through the bore 90.

The lower end of the rod -92 is adapted to t into a vertical slot |00 formed in the upper portion of the plunger 3|". The plunger isfiormed with a shoulder |0'2 in orderto permit the coil spring 4|" to abut against it. The plunger is also formed with a vertical slot |04 which extends inwardly to the center of the plunger and connects with a passageway |06 which is bored from the bottom of the plunger upwardly until it meets the slot.

The cylinder 29'.' is bored at ||00 and at ||0 in order to connect the interior of the cylinder 29" slightly greater than the distance from the passageway |00 to the passageway ||0. When the plunger 3| is at rest on the face 53" of the lower cap member, the top of the slot |04 is slightly above the passageway |08.

The rod member 92 has a. horizontal handle I4 screwed thereon at ||5, which handle is preferably pointed in the same direction as the slot |0`4. By turning the handle ||4 the plunger 3|" follows: Assuming the plunger is at rest on the face 53" 'and is turned in the direction shown in Fig. 3, fluid pumped in through the inlet passageway 49" is forced vupwardly through the passageway |06 and slot |04 -but cannot escape therefrom. As a result, `fluid pressure forces the plunger to move upwardly. When the plunger reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, communication between the slot |04 and the groove I|2 is made, permitting the fluid to pass through the groove, passageway III0, port 2|", passageway I9" and out through the outlet passageway 84.l The plunger will remain in this position un'til the operator turns the plunger through 180 degrees, whereupon the slot |04 is placed in communication with the passageway |08. Since the fluid may now pass through passageways |06 and |08 through port 23", passageway I9" and out through outlet 84, the spring 4| will return the plunger to its initial position and it will remain in that position until the plunger is again turned by means of the handle ||4 so that the slot |04 is out of communication with the passageway `|08. 'Ihe connection through the passageway 84 to the4 upper part of the passageway 3" avoids pressure or vacuum conditions in this part of--the device.

It will be evident that the device shown in Fig. 3 is adapted to operate only when observation is desired. Moreover, the construction of the apparatus safeguards against destruction due to carelessness on the part of the operator since when the plunger reaches a given position it will sight Windows to permit lobservation of the.

plunger. I

Although I have shown but three modifications of my device, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the three modifications shown, but is intended to cover all modifications embodying a by-pass. arrangement in connection with plunger, operator, and indicator, or intermittent type of indicator.

What I claim is: y

1. A fluid flow indicator comprising a body portion having a passageway therethrough connected to an inlet and an outlet, a slidable member mounted in said passageway, said member preventing passage of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, a by-pass connecting said inlet and said outlet, and means cooperating with said bypass to automatically permit passage of fluid therethrough only at the end of the forward stroke of said slidable member, means for effecting return of said slidable member to its initial position during flow of fluid through lthe indicator, and means for disclosingmovementfof said member.

2. Auid flow indicator comprising a body portion having a passageway connected by an inlet and an outlet, a reciprocable member mounted in said passageway adapted to prevent passage of fluid from said inlet to said outlet, said member being adapted to be moved in one direction by fluid pressure, a spring adapted to assist the reciprocable member to slide in the opposite direction, a by-pass connecting said inlet and said outlet, means cooperating with said -by-pass to prevent passage of fluid therethrough during the forward stroke of said member and to automatically permit fluid passage therethrough at the end of said forward stroke, means for effecting return of said slidable member to its initial position during flow of fluid through the indicator, and means for disclosing reciprocation ofsaid member.

3. A fluid flow indicator comprising a body portion having a passagewayv connected by an inlet and an outlet, a reciprocable member in said passageway adapted to prevent passage of fluid therethrough, a by-pass connecting said inlet and said outlet, a closure adapted to prevent passage oi fluid through said by-pass until said member has reached the end of its forward stroke, and to automatically permit flow of fluid therethrough at the end of said forward stroke, means for effecting return of said slidable member to its initial position during flow of fluid through the indicator, and means for disclosing reciprocation of said member.

4. An indicator in accordance with claim 3 in which the closure is a slidable valve actuated by said recprocable member. v

5.' A fluid flow indicator comprising a body portion having a passageway connected to an inlet and an outlet, a reciprocable member snugly mounted in said passageway adapted to prevent flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass connecting said inlet and said outlet, means for yoptionally permitting or preventing flow ofV fluid through said by-pass when said member is in its initial position, said reciprocable member being adapted to be moved through its forward stroke by the force of fluid pressure when said by-pass is closed, 

